29 - 03 - 2024
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INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aerocool mirage 5 review a

   With almost 20 years in the market CPU air coolers based on the typical C and U type heatsinks have very little left to offer in terms of cooling efficiency so it only goes to reason that manufacturers are turning towards other designs and/or technologies. For example, all-copper models were the first attempt in boosting cooling efficiency and even though they did succeed in doing just that the increased cost of such models made them far from popular. Different heatsink shapes have also been used by several manufacturers from time to time without however impressive enough results for them to even think about replacing U and C type models. So, you can all imagine my surprise when the latest Mirage 5 CPU Cooler by AeroCool arrived in the lab last month.


   AeroCool is a Taipei-based, global computer component (Chassis, PSU, Fan Controller, Cooling etc.) company with an outstanding record in product design and innovation. Driven by the mantra ‘Be Cool. Get AeroCool.’ we strive to provide innovation in design yet deliver an affordable solution to PC users worldwide. For more information, please visit www.aerocool.io


   Three things immediately stand out when set your eyes on the Mirage 5, the tall cylindrical design of its aluminum heatsink, the top mirror plate (which Aerocool has paired with addressable RGB LEDs - compatible with all the leading motherboard sync technologies like ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light and GIGABYTE RGB Fusion) and the lack of a fan (visible that is). Still with a TDP (thermal design power) of 150W the Mirage 5 is not only a unique looking CPU Cooler but it should also be able to hold its own even when used with relatively powerful CPUs. Even tall however the Mirage 5 is not a passive CPU cooler, instead Aerocool has equipped it with an 60mm hydraulic bearing fan (3000RPM/74.3CFM/2.13mmH2O/30dBA) which is positioned right at the center allowing it to quickly dissipate heat around it (360 degrees). The final piece of the puzzle is the heat core touch technology (also known to most of you as H.D.T) base of the Mirage 5 with its five 6mm thick black coated copper heatpipes.

 



 

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

aerocool mirage 5 review 1t

The company logo along with a large product picture and an RGB logo are located at the front of the box.

 

 

On both sides Aerocool is showcasing the main product features.

 

 

Taking a look at the rear we find the features list printed in 12 languages and just over the specification tables.

 

 

Along with the Mirage 5 CPU cooler inside the box you will also find a 4pin PWM connector, thermal paste, backplate, mounting instructions and all the necessary bits required to mount the cooler onto Intel LGA 775/1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/2011/2011-3/2066 and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+/AM4/FM1/FM2 compatible motherboards.

 



 

THE MIRAGE 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

The body of the Mirage 5 measures 145mm in height and 100mm in diameter.

 

 

As already pointed out the mirror plate at the top is one of the strongest selling points of the Mirage 5.

 

 

The Mirage 5 heatsink consists by a total of 45 visible black coated aluminum fins (don't know if these extend into the top shroud/cover).

 

 

A small heatsink is also located on the base of the cooler.

 

 

The five 6mm thick all-copper heatpipes are black coated as well.

 

 

By using an heatpipe direct touch base (or HCTT as Aerocool calls it) the Mirage 5 should be able to transfer heat faster to its fins.

 

 

The optical illusion made by the RGB LEDs and the mirror plate certainly steals the show.

 



 

TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TESTING METHODOLOGY



   We always take things quite seriously when it comes to work so just like with the previous LGA1366 database we will not be testing each CPU Cooler on its own and with different ambient temperature levels and thus we can actually have yet another valid CPU Cooler database. Testing a CPU Cooler automatically means that you need to know where it stands against the immediate competition and to accomplish that we have spent both money and time through the years, something that we plan to continue to do so in order to get the most accurate results for the end consumers who read these lines. Every CPU cooler in this database is tested with the bundled 140mm/120mm/92mm/80mm fans while working at both idle speed and 100% of their speeds for all the temperature tests. CPU Coolers that do not come bundled with a fan/s are measured using a Noctua fan (size dependent on the model) to test for the temperature tests but due to the lack of a stock fan dBA level tests are obviously skipped. Single (120/140mm) watercooling solutions are tested with the radiator mounted at the rear of our test rig while dual/triple/quad (240/260/280/360/420/480/560mm) solutions with the radiator mounted at the top. For the dBA tests every cooler in the database was measured both while on idle mode or with the fan controller in the minimum setting and while on extreme load or with the fan controller all the way to the highest possible setting (PWM fans do that on their own without our intervention). Every single test takes place in a temperature controlled room of 23 degrees Celsius Ambient Temp with the help of two AC units placed diagonally inside the room. The Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste is used with every CPU Cooler in our latest LGA2011 database (although initially this was not the plan, we had to change things to get the most accurate results). Finally, it's very important to point out that just because a CPU Cooler is better than another when tested with our test rig that does not necessarily mean that the same performance differences will apply 100% for other CPU models and in other situations (such as different ambient temps and system configurations).


     To successfully record the load temperatures, we use the latest OCCT application for around 6-10 minutes to push the processor to its limits and after that is done and the temperatures are recorded, we wait for about 10-20 minutes for the CPU to cool down and record the idle temperatures. This is done to allow time for the thermal conductive material to achieve the optimal performance level. Same procedure is then repeated with the Passmark BurnIn Test as a failsafe just in case the OCCT results are wrong. This procedure is more time consuming than the usual peltier/thermometer tests but this way not only can we deliver real world results to our readers based on real CPUs but we can also triple check the results using a variety of programs. Last but not least the temperatures were recorded using both the latest versions of AIDA64 and RealTemp while the noise level tests are performed using a high precision ExTech HD600 Decibel Meter placed about 10-15cm above the CPU Cooler. Still although the same testing procedure applies to all units do take into consideration that unlike the official numbers which are measured in special noise isolated labs with just the fans here, we also have both the rest of the cooler and the rest of the system (although all system fans are turned off when recording noise levels).

 



 

TEST RESULTS

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

aerocool mirage 5 review b

   The moment you see the Aerocool Mirage 5 from up close you just know this isn’t like any other CPU cooler you’ve ever seen and/or used (and the good news is that even if you don’t own an RGB compatible motherboard the RGB LEDs still light up). Still since looks are clearly the strongest selling point of the Mirage 5 cooling efficiency comes second and as you can tell from the charts things are nowhere near as impressive. At least until you check noise levels that is and see that the 60mm fan of the Mirage 5 is actually quite silent (not inaudible, just silent). The only concern i have with the fan is what happens when it fails and obviously you will have to replace the entire cooler when that time comes. Overall if you take into account shape, heatsink and fan sizes the Mirage 5 actually does quite well compared to its competition.


   With a current price tag set at around USD55 inside the USA and 39.90Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) the Mirage 5 CPU ARGB CPU Air Cooler by AeroCool is priced very well, especially over here. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 availability is far from great so you may not be able to find one where you’re located. At the end of the day cooling efficiency may not be top notch but from looks and installation ease to zero clearance issues and a rather tempting price tag the AeroCool Mirage 5 has everything else going for it which is why it gets the Golden Award.

PROS


- Good Overall Performance
- Build Quality
- ARGB Lighting / Mirror Plate
- Black Matte Paint
- Easy Installation
- Zero Clearance Design
- Noise Levels
- Price (For Some)



CONS


- Overall Availability
- Fan Endurance?